Taking A Line For A Walk
Apparently it was the German-Swiss painter, Paul Klee, who said that drawing was essentially like taking a line for a walk.
That’s precisely what I got to do on my drawing course at the Tate yesterday, although at times it felt more like taking my 11 month old Labrador, Henry, for a walk – unpredictable, shall we say?
After the tutorial was over and I was let loose in the gallery, I found this piece – Hanging Disc Toy – by Chinese artist, Li Yuan-chia.
The remit was simply to create a number of quick sketches to bring back to the studio of a range of modern pieces. This was the one I made of Hanging Disc Toy.
Pleased that my tutor and a fellow student both expressed the view that my drawing has freed up somewhat over the last few weeks.
Next up was a sketch from a piece by Robert Adams – Space Construction With A Spiral.
And yes, that’s me working with wire and a pair of pliers as I try to turn the image into a 3 dimensional structure. See what you think.
This is my 3-D piece on a white background and lit by a spotlight. Comments welcome!
Everybody Draw.
We all know that it’s just about ready to be the Year of the Horse, however, I want this to be the Year of the Oil Painting if possible.
Work commitments and personal circumstances have meant I’ve devoted a lot of time to drawing in the last year or so, and am just about to embark on a drawing course at one of our national galleries, however, I want to see this as the prelude to starting to have some fun painting again. This was a pen and ink sketch I did last summer.
Meanwhile, we could do worse than take our inspiration from the Chinese and their interest in drawing.
In the stunningly serene setting of the parkland that surrounds the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, I happened to see this older man practising his calligraphy which is a very precise form of drawing if ever I saw one. All the man uses is a brush, some water, and the paving stones as an ephemeral canvas.
Chinese painting and drawing has tended to be very traditional over the centuries, bound up with the culture and class system. I don’t see too much change on the way in the short term, but you never know. Certainly, this junior art class on the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou, has the children’s attention and engagement.
Look more closely at the students though and you’ll see that it’s a fairly rigid copying process they’re being taken through, with a very traditional choice of subject matter.
The course I’ve signed up for sounds a million miles from this – watch this space!
Graphite & Electric
Finger still damaged so painting and drawing is proving difficult. Thanks to the kindness of my friend (& art tutor) who suggested I use graphite shavings, ripped paper and an electric eraser, I’ve managed this effort. Need to practice more I think but the technique is keeping me on track.
Which Reminds Me
Thought if I posted this it might just serve as a reminder that I need to get drawing and painting again soon.